Without Hesitation

In January I wrote about a situation my family was thrust into suddenly and without warning.  My youngest son, Camon, developed a tumor in his leg.  His doctor, the surgeon, the oncologist and everyone else in between were convinced it was a malignant soft tissue sarcoma in his left thigh.  And so we as a family did, without hesitation, the one thing we know to do.  We sought the Lord and He heard our cry.

After what felt like an eternity his biopsy results came back negative for cancer even though the enitial look in the lab the day of the biopsy showed what looked to be cancer cells.  But even though we were fearful and sick with worry, even though Camon's pain was extreme and it was difficult to see him suffering so much, we knew our greatest help was God's mercy and so we prayed.  And we believed in His goodness and ability to heal and change what doctors were believing and seeing.  We asked in faith and we received with joy the answer.  Camon's tumor was benign.

Today, after months of waiting for his surgery to remove the tumor Camon has pulled through with no incident, little blood lost and very little loss of muscle tissue.  The tumor had shrunk drastically and was roughly the size of a mango pit, solid bone.  We are thanking and praising God for His grace to us.  We are also thankful for the many many people who have been praying with us for Camon's healing.  We have the "yes" we were hoping for.

I am sitting in the waiting room.  I have still not seen Camon as he has not come out of recovery yet.  But I am filled with praise for the doctor's report of Camon's condition and the outlook for his recovery.  I wanted to share my praise with everyone I could, so after calling and texting those closest to me I thought I would update his condition here as well.

We are so thankful.  I want to encourage all of you to seek the Lord without hesitation.  Call upon Him at all times.  He is a gracious and loving God who freely gives to all who ask in faith.  We continue to abide in Jesus.  The opportunity awaits for you to abide with Him as well.

Thank you to those who have kept us in prayer.

Be Still My Soul

I think back over the years to the first time I heard this song. It was a dark and troubling time in my life where everything I knew or thought I knew was shaken. I had recently contemplated and determined to end my life having come under such a heavy oppression that told me I had believed a lie when I believed in Jesus. It broke my heart to think that the love of Jesus had been nothing but wishful thinking that had carried me through very difficult circumstances. I was left feeling empty and deceived and life no longer held any worth to me without Him. In one last desperate plea I cried out to the God I had believed in and I begged Him to reveal himself to me again, for without that intervention I would certainly have given in to my despair. But God in His mercy heard my heart's cry and He answered me with indescribable light and the words, "I Am That I Am." resounding in my ears. It was a loud and terrifying experience that shook me to my core with fear and awe.

I lost my voice for a week after that night. I simply was unable to put words together in any coherence. I remember going to work not long after that wondering how in the world I would get through the night as a waitress without being able to speak. I was fragile and afraid and ever so weakened, but I was clinging to Jesus, who had so wonderfully showed Himself to me. One of the first families that came in that night to the Pizza Hut I worked at had come from another Pizza Hut down the way. They had left the first having witnessed one of the cooks use the restroom without washing his hands. This brought them to my Pizza Hut. The man's name was Brian and he was a pastor. I no more than stood before them when he looked up and saw me in distress. His wife quickly slid over and they invited me to sit with them as they prayed. He and his wife and their two children prayed over me in tenderness and patience. Sometime in that same week this song played on the radio in the middle of the night. It wakened me from my sleep with an ethereal sound that reached deep into my soul and filled me with great hope and peace.

"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897


1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Through the years, especially verses one and two have ministered to me in times of sorrow or darkness. Again today, the melody is playing in my mind. My youngest son who is eleven has in this last week been diagnosed with what the doctors are thinking is a malignant tumor in his left thigh. We are forced to play the wait game this week while we wait for the biopsy to come back which will let us know whether the tumor is as the doctors suspect, malignant or if it is benign as we and so many of my faithful brothers and sisters in the Lord are praying. On one hand I have expert doctors telling me this one horrible thing. And on the other hand I have this same gracious God who revealed Himself to me with such power and greatness who is able to do immeasurably more than all I can ask or imagine. I do not know, today, whether or not He wills for my son to go through a cancer battle. All I know is that no matter what, this God, this lover of my soul and the lover of my son's soul will carry us through this dark valley. He promised never to leave us or forsake us. He did not give me a spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind. So, I will pray powerfully, love deeply and operate with a sound mind, practicing exactly what this song encourages. Be Still My Soul. #God'sgotthis

A Bruised Reed

I often wonder if God gets frustrated with our ignorance.  Does He at times desire to walk away from us to spare Himself from our idiocy?  Does he get exasperated and close Himself in His chamber for a moment to collect Himself after dealing with our cluelessness?  Does He smack Himself in the forehead and say, “Oy vey!” when we just don’t seem to understand?  I am certain that if God’s patience could be pushed to such limits I would be the one to get Him there.

Thankfully God is nothing like me.  I believe that as high as the heavens are above the earth so are His thoughts above my own.  He said so.  I also believe His patience and His love are that much greater.  In fact I bank on it, because it has become clear to me after all these years of following Him that I am simply not able to match His step without stumbling and tripping like I have two left feet.  Yes, I am that girl on the dance floor.  You know the one.  She wants to dance, and she’s smiling like an idiot while trying for all she’s worth, but she just hasn’t got the rhythm nor the coordination.  

My reason for writing this morning is to hopefully encourage you all.  In a world full of scoffers and naysayers it is very easy to feel like the one in the corner with the dunce hat on your head.  Let’s face it, the world is full of people who are less than gracious when they see our flaws and failures.  It seems that even the ones who bear the name of Christ are prone to mockery, ever ready to pounce upon each other, pointing out mistakes and making spectacles of each other’s failures.  It happened to me just this morning.  

In a very brief conversation, if you could call it that, my confession of a bad decision I had made turned into an all out scornful mocking by someone who completely missed the point I was trying to make.  I already knew that what I had done had had a huge negative effect in my life, but this person wouldn’t hear me for that.  Instead she insensitively seized the opportunity of me taking a breath mid-sentence to begin her tirade of how she knew all along that my decision was completely stupid.  Yes, she used the word stupid.  But it didn’t end there.  In trying to defend myself another barrage of hurtful insensitive things were said and all for what?  So that this woman could have it be known by me that she knew better?  That she was wiser and called out the calamity long before it came to pass?  Anyway, I’m not usually a pansy, but her harsh words hit my already bruised heart leaving me to feel like the fool she made me out to be.  The whole conversation took place in less than three minutes and it ended badly with her being dismissive and insinuating I was just being sensitive and then telling me she would call later, to which I replied, “don’t” and I hung up on her.  Yeah...that was not so Christ like of me.  If she were anything less than the woman of God that she is, I might expect her to bitterly phase out of my life.   But I have no concern about that with this woman as we have through the years disagreed many times and because Christ does rule each of our hearts, He always brings us back to peace and joy with each other.  That’s how it’s supposed to be.  But the whole situation got me thinking about Jesus.

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus saying, “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench” (Isaiah 42:3).  There is more to that prophesy, but this is the part that I’ve been pondering.  It stands out to me that often people are ever so ready to pounce upon those who are already down.  Like this woman, they think nothing of the pain someone is already suffering for their sin or their mistakes or their poor decisions and they jump headlong into their tirades of scorn and condemnation.  But Jesus wasn’t like that.  He wasn’t one to break the bruised reed.  How often we fail to incorporate this attribute into our repertoire of Godly emulation.  Then it occurred to me.  This failure on the part of this woman is just a misstep in her dance with Jesus.  I’m sure she feels that she said and did nothing wrong...this is her MO after all.  But how she behaved was tantamount to her being the girl on the dance floor, smiling like an idiot, trying for all she was worth to dance in the steps of Jesus only to look as though she had two left feet, no rhythm and zero coordination.  And since I’ve been that girl all of my life, I can only offer the same patience and love that God has for me when I don’t get it right.  The good thing is, I know that by the time we all get to that great Wedding banquet, we’ll be dancing like pros and not one of us will miss a step.  

If I Should Die Before They Wake

I wouldn't consider myself a morbid person.  But I am aware that at any given moment God may call me home.  I'm not in any way guaranteed another day or moment to spend with those I love.  Knowing that I may not have the time to "work up the courage" to broach the subjects of God and eternity, I tend to be direct and speak freely about these things.  I am not embarrassed about my faith.  I am not shy about it.  There is no good reason for me to hesitate in sharing the truth that I know.  I just do it.  As vocal as I am, I often think to myself, 'I need to foster more teachable moments with my kids.'

This song, written by Jennie B. Wilson, is titled,  "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand".  It perfectly reflects my prayers and wishes for my children save for the second line in the last verse.  When I sing this song I change it to say, "Trust in God who has been true".  

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand.
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God's unchanging hand.

Hold to His hand, To God's unchanging hand
Hold to His hand, To God's unchanging hand
Build your hopes on things eternal
Hold to God's unchanging hand.

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling

Covet not this world's vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heavenly treasures,
They will never pass away

When your journey here is ended
If to God you have been true (Trust in God who has been true),
Fair and bright your home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

God knows how deep my love runs for those He has placed in my life.  I long for the day when they awaken to the knowledge of the truth.  But, If I should die before they wake, I want to be sure that I took advantage of every opportunity God has given me to tell them about His love and justice.  I want to be sure I took every opportunity to show them His love.  And when I stand before Him, may He be pleased.   May it be so.

Dare To Be Preachy

Sooner or later I'm going to die, unless of course, Jesus comes back and takes me to heaven before that happens.  I'm rooting for the latter.  I don't fancy that my life has impacted many except for my own immediate family.  There will be no monuments to my name, no great hall of fame, no television dramas or movies when I die.  There will only be my witness to those my life has touched.   There are songs that I've written that I hope have blessed others and maybe inspired them to trust the Lord, but when my body is cold, likely the memory of me for most people will be cold too.  If I must die, however, my hope is that those that I leave behind who know me, will be able to say with confidence, "She loved the Lord with all her heart and she also loved me."

Those who really know me know that the shallow things in life hold little interest for me, save for issues that deal with bettering our health and wellness physically.  Most often my mind has been on eternal things.   I have allowed God's Word to shape my life, my opinions, my sense of justice, my morality, my politics and my parenting.  Because of that I'm sure I've lost a few "friends" along the way.  But I'm not so mournful about a relationship lost when the relationship itself is so shallow that it can be lost.  I've learned that I can only do my best to love and be faithful, and if in the end a person is intent on going in a direction different from the one I am going, it is best to hold lightly and leave them in the hands of the Father, who's Spirit alone can draw them to the place on which my heart is set.

The entire world is hell bent on invalidating and making impotent the idea of an eternal God.  Since my childhood I have listened to hostile people hurl accusations against God's faithful.  The intensity of their hatred has only grown throughout the years and where there at one time may have been a line that no one was willing to cross, in these latter days that line is now gone.  It's a no-holds-barred society of vicious, teeth-gnashing hatred and violence toward the Truth and anyone who would share it.  Those hostile to the gospel reject any kind of testimony,  scornfully accusing Christians of being "preachy" in an effort to shut them up.  Even the quiet Christian who minds his own business in the work place is made to feel intimidated by hateful coworkers who disapprove of his unwillingness to join in their wicked banter, because even the Christian's silent witness is too loud for the wicked.

We are intentionally being pushed back, forced to retreat to closed doors and soon, I fear, shuttered windows.  But for now, in the United States of America we have a freedom to speak.  And no one here who knows the truth should let themselves be intimated into silence.  It is our freedom and our responsibility to speak.  Because the truth is LIFE.  And there are many who would yet choose eternal life if they only had the Truth shared with them.

I'm not going to say that there is no cost in sharing the Truth.  There is.  And sometimes you will lose people you love because of it.  Our Enemy is not gentle in his battle against us.  It is his goal to hurt us in the most painfully personal way he can.  Family and friends are fair game in the battle to silence and disempower the Children of God.  Consider yourself warned.  But also consider how greatly powerful the testimony of redemption is!  It is totally worth it.  There is no system that will allow us to know how a person will react to hearing our testimonies.  There is only the hope that maybe someone will hear what we have to say and believe.

Teaching God's redeemed that they can live holy lives is also a worthy endeavor.  It was the hope in this promise that freed me from the bondage of sin after I believed.  Satan doesn't just want to keep us from being saved.  He also wants to keep us from being over-comers.  I think I've had more resistance to the message of holiness from people than I've had to the message of redemption itself.  People, even Christians, don't like to think of themselves as sinners who need to change.  For the unbeliever, this message is impossible because they do not have the power to change.  But for the believer, they have the very power of Christ Himself to overcome any sin. God does not suddenly sanctify our evil deeds making them not evil just because we believe in Him.  Sinning is still evil and God has equipped each of His Children with the power to break what ever bondage we might be in.

In my opinion, preaching the truth is one of the most loving things a Christian can do.  The world, and even people in church may accuse you of being "preachy" attaching a negative connotation to it.  That is merely a tactic used to silence the message of freedom in Christ.  If you live in the United States of America, or any other country where you have the freedom of speech, please do not waste this freedom.  Speak up!  Dare to be preachy!  Let them hear the truth from your lips and see the good deeds that accompany your words so that they will believe!  Give others the same chance Christ is giving you right now as you read my words.

When I die I'll walk through those pearly gates with the hope that I did my best and took every opportunity to speak deep things to you...eternal things that matter.  And I hope that someone, anyone will choose to worship Jesus with their whole heart because I dared to be preachy.  To God be the glory!

The Gate Is Small - Matthew 7

When my faith began to grow and I grew closer to God, a passion ignited in my soul.  I was filled with an almost unquenchable desire to share the truth with who ever would listen.  I was thrilled to know God, and be known by Him.  I couldn't stand the thought that someone else might be as desperate as I was to hear the truth and not know who to ask.  I endeavored to be the one who was approachable and throughout my life I've been privileged to open the door wide with a great many people both in the church and out of it in order to minister to them.

I've learned much through my years of public and private ministry.  If you are young and at all like me, you may have idealistic ideas about what your ministry will look like. I want to take a moment to encourage you to keep your zeal, but remember something important that Jesus said.  "The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and there are few who find it."   The churches may be packed and everyone around you may have a kind of godliness, but don't be surprised when you see their faith has no power.  They will lack love, they will be slaves to sin and have no desire to overcome, they will be unforgiving and admit as much without shame, they will be filled with fear and pride, they will be haughty and overly sensitive, they will be easily angered and offended and will respond with hostility.  This is how the wicked live.  And you will find these people in your churches.

Allow me to call your attention to Matthew 7.  Specifically the two passages I've quoted below;

Matthew 7:1-6

      "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

and Matthew 7:13-23.

       “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.  Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?  So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruits.  Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’"

Most people know Matt. 7:1. This verse, "Do not judge lest you be judged" is likely the most widely known bible verse in the world.  People cling to it and sling it around like it's the only thing that can save them.  But salvation isn't really what they want. If I had to venture a guess I'd say most people are more interested in maintaining their cover than they are interested in their actual salvation.  They want to look the part of being good people, but they know that they are not and they are afraid that they will be exposed.  

The log and the speck teaching is synonymous with a crutch for many.  These drowning sinners often use this crutch as a paddle while they try to remain afloat on the very logs that are in their eyes.  They also use them to beat off anyone who approaches to help.  Because no one is without sin, these verses very easily become a shield for anyone desiring to be left alone to wallow in their sin.  And anyone who dares to pay attention to verse 5, having first removed the log from their own eye and now seeing clearly to take the speck out of the eye of their brother is never received by these scoffers as a person who speaks Truth in love.  No, these scoffers are like the dogs and swine in verse 6.  They will not hesitate to tear you to pieces to maintain their image.  They are everywhere.  They are in your church and possibly close to you.  Even if you think you know them, don't think you can trust them to respond with favor to the pearls of wisdom you have to offer.  Scoffers are going to scoff.  

Proverbs 9:7-10 also speaks about this.

"He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
         And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
         Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
         Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
         And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

What I've frequently found is that most people's understanding is so clouded by their sinful pride that the truth to their ears is received much like words spoken under water.  There is no understanding.  And if they can make anything out, it's usually distorted.  There are some who will accept wisdom readily, but I would encourage anyone starting out in ministry to lay aside any idea that people will see your love and respond according to your sincerity.  It just won't happen, no matter how good your intentions are.

For much of my Christian life I had a Pollyanna view of the world.  Having been raised in good old North Dakota with " North Dakota Nice" as the standard, I learned from the beginning that, "God is nice and we should be nice".  Wouldn't that be nice?  Everyone in church is a Christian, Dontcha know!  Believe it or not this is actually something I believed until my early twenties.
My biggest mistake was in believing that people who claim to know God love Truth and want to deepen their understanding of God's word.  But through the years as I've shared the Truth I think I've received more gracious responses from complete atheists than I have from many people in the church.  It'd be almost laughable, if it weren't so sad.

 I believe Matthew 7 speaks to us about these kinds of people.  Those who merely skim the surfaces of Truth do not appreciate the depths of God's word.  They are blenders, false converts who spend their lives parroting the truth they do not understand and mimicking the actions and deeds of those who do.  They are all around us and in our churches and on line representing the Church. They speak loud and often all the while convoluting the truth.  The righteous man receives reproof and instruction and becomes wiser still, but these blenders will reject every kind of personal correction and instruction.  Rather than receiving wisdom they reject it, flailing around what ever accusations they can use to deflect scrutiny.  They are after all, blenders and do not want to be noticed as such.  When a blender is called out for his sin, rather than acknowledging that sin and repenting of it, he will instead shift the blame and point at others as a way of directing attention away from him.  But the humble and righteous man will receive correction without deflecting it in any way and will instead be cut to the heart and be motivated to repent of that sin.

I don't know what motivation you have for speaking God's word and teaching others to know Christ.  But I will say this, unless pleasing Christ is your sole ambition,  you may find yourself disappointed.  Work for the applause of One...Jesus.  Do not make the mistake of thinking that because God is nice, people will be nice.  They are not nice.  They will likely turn and tear you to pieces if they can.  But you, with your eyes fixed on Christ, will come out unscathed.  Don't think you can love people deeply and that it will be enough.  They won't care how much you love them.  They will be unforgiving in their accusations.  They will find fault with you even when there is none.  They will hold you to impossible standards so that they don't feel compelled to reach for them themselves.  They will also seek to tear you down anyway they can so that you are not credible in your witness.  These things and much more you can expect in your ministry.  But...GOD is not diminished, nor is His grace!  You may feel like giving up, but God will never give up.  He will work His will in you and through you, even when you become disillusioned.  And He loves you more than you can imagine.

To the young and idealistic person in ministry I say, "Be satisfied and humbled with knowing Christ, and everything He does though you will be to His glory.  That gate is awfully small, so don't be surprised or disillusioned when few come through it.  Be thankful!  Be joyful!  Those few are precious!!  Keep your eyes on Christ and rejoice in the opportunity He's given you!"  

A Mere Breath

Psalm 39:1-5

I said,

                              "I will Guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue;"

                "I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle, while the wicked are in my presence."

                                 I was dumb and silent, I refrained even from good;

                                                   And my sorrow grew worse.

                        My heart was hot within me;  While I was musing the fire burned;

                                                  Then I spoke with my tongue:

                                              "Lord, Make me to know my end"
                                             "And what is the extent of my days."
                                              "Let me know how transient I am."
                               "Behold, Thou hast made my days as handbreadths"
                                         "And my lifetime as nothing in thy sight"
                                      "Surely every man at his best is a mere breath"



Sometimes it seems like you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.  You just can't win with some people.  And by win I do not mean "best".  A win for me is to succeed in carrying out Romans 12:18;  "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.".  I have become convinced that sometimes it is just not possible.  Herein lies the catalyst for me being forced to grow up and face the facts.  Some people are hell bent on being wicked and evil.  Even some people in the church and I'd even go so far as to say that it is their delight to be so.

At one time I was so filled with ideal thoughts and beliefs it seemed the Christian life could be exactly like a dramatic movie complete with a perfect happy ending.  I still wish it could be, but those days are long gone.  Now, like the psalmist above, I have come face to face with the knowledge that should give hope to every Christian.  I am but a breath, even at my best.  And wicked men, at their greatest wickedness...are a mere breath.  Rather than causing consternation this knowledge should bring great comfort.

What could have been disillusioning for me ends up being liberating for me.  I know that every single wicked person who fabricates evil is nothing but a breath.  And I know that if I speak, having knowledge of what will save others, I will incur their scorn, wrath and attacks.  But it does not help to keep silent.  I've tried.  The truth in me burns to get out.  And even if I keep silent the wicked rage.  They fabricate all kinds of evil against God's elect without provocation.  Such is the way of life.  But I am not bound to the futility of this life.  I am bound to the eternal God who is my hope.  As the psalmist continues in verse 7 and 8,

                                               "And now, Lord, for what do I wait?"
                                                        "My hope is in Thee."
                                             "Deliver me from all my transgressions;"
                                            "Make me not the reproach of the foolish."  

The foolish and wicked who seek to make miserable the saints of God will be reduced to nothing.  They are but a breath.  And so are we.  Our only hope is in Christ, who redeems and sets us free from the lying tongues of those who know nothing of forgiveness.

Where There Is Obedience There Is Peace

Last night my family and I watched one of the Star Wars movies.  There was a scene in the movie where a young boy was following behind his master when suddenly there was danger about to overcome him.  His master shouted, "Anakin, drop!".  And the boy went instantly to his knees and was saved.   This scene is an excellent example of immediate compliance.  The negative consequences that would have arisen if the young boy had disobeyed or even delayed his obedience can be readily understood.  I loved it.

Paul and I have been parenting for twenty(+) years.  It's a good start, but we'd both admit that we have no claim to infallibility.  One thing we've done that we do not regret is to teach our children to comply immediately.  This happens very early in our children's lives.  And though they are not perfect, most of the time our children obey right away.  This world is simply too dangerous to allow a child to ask, "Why?"  before they comply with a command.  We both have great parents who were careful to teach this to us.  In fact, I can clearly remember my mother-in-law telling my first little one, "Slowness to obey is the same thing as disobedience.  Be quick to obey!".

Through the years we've been complimented about our children.  We've even heard people say, "How do you get your children to listen to you like that?"  There is no question about it, teaching our children to immediately obey has helped to make our children and our home very peaceful and enjoyable.  I feel the same could be the case within the church.  Just think of how peace and mutual edification would be the "normal" in a church that took Matt.22:36-39 seriously...Love the Lord and Love your neighbor.  Obedience is not legalism, it's Love.

Those who insist that their sin is not sin may either be unaware or perhaps too proud to ask for forgiveness.  They'd rather deny the need than be humble.  You can see it in our culture today, people seem to have a higher priority on their own personal "reality" than they do on acknowledging God's reality.  This becomes especially evident when a person like this is confronted with their sin.  Rather than apologizing for their sin and seeking restoration, they become vicious toward the one who called it out.  Pastors and ministry leaders are unfortunately quite vulnerable to such attacks, but this deflection tactic is not exclusively something that affects the one who fills the pulpit.  It can happen to anyone who dares to love deeply enough to be the iron that sharpens.

The last post I put up was titled "Something To Offer".  It is about forgiveness and the divorcing culture in which we currently live, where rather than being humbly restored to each other people tend to choose separation.  Satan's goal to divide and conquer is certainly working.  But Jesus said, "Be one as I and the Father are one."  This sounds like the opposite of our culture.  Jesus also said, "Be holy as I am holy" and He prayed, "Sanctify them(us) by Your Truth".

To be sanctified is to be set apart as holy.  We as a church are to be set apart unto God as holy, different from our sin loving, divorcing culture.  We are not to let pride rule us.  We as believers are given the power and the authority to overcome sin and be set free from it.  Through accountability and exhortation we help each other choose to do what is right and reject doing what is wrong.  Unfortunately we are all sinners.  This means that there will be people who sin against each other in the church.  And there will be those brave enough and loving enough to confront that sin.  If bitterness is too deep to accept correction graciously, we as holy and sanctified people may just have to love deeper while we wait for the wounded pride of another believer to settle, because love bears all, hopes for all, endures all and it never fails.

My parents and Paul's parents raised us with the expectation of immediate compliance.  We have done the same with our own children.  Maybe this is a reason why our children respond differently than the way others say their children do.  We know that our children will sin, but we don't want to just ignore it.  Our goal is to embrace truth and grace and mercy in our home.  We do not shy away from teaching obedience to God's word just to spare our children or ourselves conflict with each other.  Instead, we teach that God's desire is obedience and our own desire is the same.  We teach that when we do the wrong thing we will be held accountable and when we humble ourselves there is always mercy in the name of Christ.

The same should be true within our churches.  Pastors and elders alike should not shy away from teaching obedience to the truth just to spare their congregants from conflict.  Conflict will always arise when there is sin.  Though it requires carrying a heavy cross, my prayer is much like that of Jesus...that God's children would be sanctified, distinct from the rest of the world.  My prayer is that the unsaved would take notice and say to themselves, "These people are different.  They look different, they live differently and they love differently."  My prayer is that God's people would not be resigned or content to blend in with this world, but would enjoy the peace and freedom that comes from living in obedience to God's word.

Something To Offer

I have found myself asking the question lately, "Where can I find joy when there are so many non-joyful situations that continually assail believers?"  This question becomes even more earnest when the source of conflict in our lives is another individual.

Forgiving others is not an option for someone who desires to be forgiven.  I think I've mentioned that a few times throughout my years of writing.  Jesus said, "Forgive so that your heavenly Father can forgive you."  But forgiveness as I've learned does not always have the added perk of immediate restoration and joy attached to it.  It's a difficult and humbling endeavor to strive for restoration with another sin scarred individual.  And it is becoming more and more evident the longer I live that not many people are willing to love so deeply and be committed so faithfully to living out God's love.  It seems all too often that people would prefer to slink away with their records of wrongs rather than humble themselves so as to be restored to another.  The phrase "Fade to black" is running through my head right now.  Only it isn't a pleasant feeling when the story that is fading to black is a relationship that is falling apart.  It is ever so painful no matter what the cause.  But that is what happens when pride slips in and rules the hearts of men.  They cling to their wounded pride and coddle their hurt feelings licking their wounds till they grow to love the taste of them.  In the name of irreconcilable differences people frequently sacrifice the ones closest to them.   It's a shameful blood lust that has taken down many marriages and friendships throughout the span of time.  It is a viciously pervasive form of un-forgiveness, designed to kill our love for one another and eventually destroy our souls.

When a believer is faced with a situation where someone will not be restored to him/her what consolation is there? How can we live joyfully when there is such a lack of charity in the world?  I have yet to find a fully satisfactory answer to that.  But I do find nuggets of gold every so often that keep me believing that joy does not have to be so illusive just because there are unyielded souls that have a tendency to wound with proficiency.

One thing that I take comfort in is the fact that the Word of God is able to divide even between the soul and spirit of a man.  He sees me.  All of me....and He remains with me in spite of what He sees.  Though the love of most is growing cold, He sees me.  Though our current culture is a culture of divorce He sees me and remains faithful.

Sadly my life has seen an abundance of this divorcing culture.  I'm not just talking about husbands and wives I've known.  I'm also including friendships that have been lost, church members that have either abandoned the faith or forsaken our small gathering, and even family members who have disowned one another to varying degrees.  No matter what the case has been, I can see clearly that pride and unyielding hearts are the catalysts of disunity.  In all these circumstances, false assumptions and a lack of humility are what set that ball rolling in the direction of irreconcilable differences.  In my opinion there shouldn't be such a thing as "irreconcilable differences".  Instead of clinging to the right to feel wronged, it would be better to cling to the love God tells us to have for another.  Because as His word tells us, "Love covers over a multitude of sins".  Love.

As individuals we can not force others to live or love like they are supposed to.  I would say that it has been a tough enough job just getting my own heart to love like I am supposed to.  I know full well that I have insufficient love of my own to give.  But God, who sees me, continues to give me His love in spite of my failures.  In that I find joy- because I now have Something to offer.

  

Are You Really Struggling?

Hebrews 12:3-4
"Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted unto the point of shedding your blood."

In the last few years I have found that shopping on line for Christmas gifts is enjoyable and almost non stressful.  But this morning, while shopping on eBay I came across sexual images twice!  I was not happy.

Sometimes you just have to look away.  That's what we teach our children.  When the wicked and misguided in our world push images that ought not to be gazed upon, we need to look away...bounce the eyes.  Those who have overcome porn addictions or the temptation to commit adultery know that a lingering eye can very easily lead a person (and often their family) to their own demise.  The same is true for the things upon which we allow our minds to dwell.   My husband has often said, "What ever dog you feed will grow the strongest".  And he is right.  If a person feeds the sinful lust of the eye, that lust will only continue to grow.

Throughout the years I have had many conversations with people who are "struggling" in one way or another.  Of those whose struggle is with sin I've found that not everyone who is "struggling" is necessarily fighting against sin.  Rather than wrestling with it, they seem more captivated by it, like a twisted version of the classic "damsel in distress".   It puts an image in my head something along the lines of the cover of a Harlequin Romance novel, where a scantily clad couple is standing on the edge of a cliff, wind blowing in their hair and the man, standing behind the woman has his muscular arms firmly around her voluptuous figure, pawing at her in the throes of passion.  The man represents temptation and the woman is the one who supposedly struggles.  She isn't fighting at all- she's enjoying herself.  Yeah, that seems more like the "struggle" going on with some people regarding their sin.

One of my brothers used to wrestle in high school.  He was actually pretty good.  When I think back to those days I remember the sweat, the straining of muscles and the overall exhaustion that would ensue from the intense struggle of each trying to over power the other.  Did you catch that?  Each opponent tried to overpower the other.  I've learned that this is not so much the case with some people who say they are "struggling" with sin.  Their  desire to overpower sinful self seems in all actuality non existent.

I once tried to help a woman who came to me needing comfort and aide during a difficult time her family was going through.  After months of help, prayer, deep heart felt talks, encouragement and godly advice I became aware of the fact that this woman was in no way seeking restoration with her husband but instead was actively trying to rekindle a relationship with a man with whom she'd previously had an affair.  For all this woman's talk of "struggling" she was not actually struggling at all.  She was trying everything in her power to play the part of the innocent, trying to maintain her Christian image, painting herself out to look like a victim, when in all actuality she was the instigator of her marriage trouble. She had let her eye, and her mind dwell upon another man.  On the day the situation became clear I confronted her on her sin.  And just like Proverbs says regarding the adulteress she licked her lips and literally insisted she had done nothing wrong.  In that moment, I excused her from my help and counsel and handed her over to her willful way.  It was one of the saddest things I've ever had to do.  To this day, I am unaware of her repentance.

I've shared this story with very few people.  I suppose because it grieves me so deeply.  I know there are some out there who would scoff at my testimony regarding my response to this fallen woman.  There are likely some who would say it would have been better for me to "love her through it".  I can assure you all, my love for her runs deep still to this day.  But I will not love merely with words and tongue.  Actions and Truth are just as important.  I could not and will not give tacit approval to someone who is seeking out things God has forbidden, nor will I allow myself to be in a position to facilitate such things.   I don't believe God has called any Christian to do that.  The whole counsel of scripture actually leads me to believe the opposite should happen.

Sometimes you just have to look the other way.  We are told that each man is tempted when by his own evil desire he is dragged away and enticed.  Satan will continue to put sinful delights in front of our eyes, hoping our evil desires will be aroused.  It can come in obvious ways like seeing a pornographic picture online and sometimes it might be more of a subtle temptation such as the temptation to keep silent about something you know is extreme folly, that threatens to ruin an entire family and make a mockery of The Faith in the eyes of those watching.  It doesn't matter if you are the one being tempted to commit adultery or if you are the one being tempted to forgo God's wisdom in an effort to love your friend through her rebellion.  Both are equally dangerous and disastrous to our lives.

If you are one who is struggling with sin, I encourage you to grab hold of your opponent and strive for all you are worth to overpower it.  Sweat, strain your muscles and exhaust yourself in your resistance of wickedness.  Don't be satisfied to play the victim.  You have been given the victory if you want it.  From bouncing the eyes to flat out running away from sin each of us needs to strive for what is right, not in the eyes of man, but in the eyes of God.




     

Encouragement

Well, it happened. I personally met someone who reads my blog. And I didn't even have to travel to China, Russia or France. Ha! Truth be told, given the vague stats blogger offers, I wasn't sure more than two Americans ever read my blog aside from my own family. In the grand scheme of things I know it isn't a big deal. But the truth of it is, I was strangely blessed by meeting this woman even though I don't even know if she liked my writing. When I was on Facebook it was much easier to measure the reach of each post. Feedback, for better or worse was more readily given and though occasionally it wasn't positive, there were also many times people took the time to let me know how God was using me to bless them, encourage them and build them up. I don't regret leaving Facebook, but I do miss that.

I know I haven't written in a long while. Life sometimes just has a way of taking over. But aside from that, I've also been feeling very quiet in my spirit. It's been a time for me to listen rather than to speak. And it's been good for me. During my silence I have often been filled with various scripture verses that come to mind in the form of prayer.

-"Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer"

-"Where there are many words, sin is not absent"

-"Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you"

-"Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips"

-"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us"

These scriptures and others have been governing my thoughts as world politics have been raging on, horrific evils have been committed and the love of many continues to grow cold. It's been tempting at times to publicly comment on what is happening in our world. But I think most often my heart has been driven to prayer.

I would have my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ know that God has not forsaken us. He is not blind, nor is He deaf. And most assuredly, nothing is outside of His control. As we wait for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, I want to encourage each of you to continue to put your faith in Him. Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Love Truth and obey it. And allow yourself the simple joys of the moment by moment grace that He gives you. Though more and more people reject what God has said is true, I want to remind you that nothing can separate you from the love of God. Though people who once worshipped with us have changed their minds and given themselves over to new and unholy opinions, you need not fear nor fret. God's got this.

Have faith and stay true to His commands; Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; And Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Believe it and live each day like you do. And remember that God's mercy is new each morning. Peace be to you all.

Take Words With You

This morning as I was drinking my coffee and reading the bible I looked over at my four youngest children who were eating their breakfast in silence.  Usually on Saturday morning I let them sleep in and then watch a cartoon.  It's a tradition that stretches back to my own childhood when cartoons only aired on network television on Saturday mornings.  Today I woke them earlier than usual.  I wondered if they would be ornery but they weren't.  They were just quiet.  They had no words.  I looked down at the passage I was reading again.  

"Take words with you and return to the Lord.  Say to him; 'forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips'".  Hosea 14:2. 

I think about my children frequently throughout the day.  My main concern is their faith and walk with God.  So this morning I took the opportunity of their silence to invade their thoughts and direct them to Jesus.  I asked them, "When do you worship?".  Amidst the chewing and dazed looks there was a glimmer of thought behind their eyes.  Even Camon, who is seven, looked instantly curious.  But no one could really answer.  I suspected this.  I didn't really expect them to be any different than I was as a child.    

My husband is a pastor so this may sound scandalous to some when I admit that I don't always feel like I'm worshipping at Church.  I learn.  I pray.  I repent.  But worship...that's harder to define.  When I asked my children if they worship at church they did the thing with their eyes where they look like a cartoon character for a moment....you know the one; the side-to-side, deer caught in the headlights look.  They seemed momentarily uncomfortable when I asked if they worshipped during service or if they pretty much just endured the experience until the last "amen".  They all pretty much agreed that it was the latter.  I thought as much.  It was just the same for me.  I'm glad they owned to it.  It doesn't do anyone any good to candy coat the truth.  It is what it is.  I'd rather have them admit to me the truth than feel like they have to pretend. 

In Hosea 14 the people of Israel are told to "take words" with them.  It goes on to encourage repentance and surrender to God, looking to Him as the source of goodness and blessing and it finishes off with the words, 

"Who is wise? He will realize these things.  Who is discerning?  He will understand them.  The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them." 

I can model a righteous life for my children and teach them scripture, encouraging them to hide it in their hearts so they do not sin against God.  But I feel like modeling worship is difficult.  It's so personal that modeling it might actually turn out to be nothing more than a show.  But being thankful and teaching them to surrender with thankfulness I can do.  Being thankful is a crucial part of worship. I can teach them to be repentant because worship does not happen without repentance and humility.  I can also teach them how to "take words with them and return to the Lord".  Helping my children to know who God is and notice how benevolent He is gives them the tools to formulate their own words of thanks and repentance.  I could try to put words in their mouths but their worship would not be authentic.  No, I want them to have the ability to take their own words with them when they return to God.  I want them to be able to see for themselves how good He is to them.  I want them to see that He fills their lungs with breath.  He gives them bodies that function properly.  He gives them beauty, strength, food, shelter, clothes. He meets all their needs.  God says in Hosea,

"I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me."

What do we have that we have not been given?  Not one thing.  Our ability to blink...comes from God.  Our ability to sleep and wake up...God's gift.  We think, walk, talk, swallow, breath, hear, see, enjoy taste....every good and perfect gift comes from God!  This and so much more I can teach my children to see.  In doing so, if they are wise, it will be inevitable that they will "take words with them when they return to the Lord".  God wants to hear our humbled hearts praise and thank Him!  Whether we sit in a pew or on our front porch drinking our coffee if we are humble before God, repentant for our sin and filled with thanksgiving we will find what it means to worship Him and songs of praise will come.  I believe that when we bring this attitude with us as we gather in church, our worship does rise before God as one voice.  May God give us all the grace to see that quietly enduring 'till the last "amen" does not have to be our Sunday morning church experience.  

A Portion Of The Story

Like many of you, I like a good story.  I like romance and intrigue, suspense and believable dialog, just for starters.  But, aside from my fictional interests, I have a greater passion for Truth.  Which brings me to scripture.  Unlike other books, the Christian bible seems to have endless layers.  It's content spans throughout all time, even to that which has not been.  No earthly author has yet to write a book that is it's equal.  

How is it that I can read a passage and feel like I know it, only to one day read it again and discover something new?  This phenomenon is humbling for me.  God through the years has condescended to teach my slow-to-comprehend mind, allowing me the time to let a passage simmer until suddenly my eyes are opened.  If you could see the party that takes place in my spirit when this happens you would put on a hat and celebrate with me.  But the amazing thing is, He allows me to revisit the same passage later on and He shows me more!

Knowing this helps me to listen to a sermon in peace even when the pastor takes it in a direction that might be different than I would have gone, because I know that what a Godly pastor shares in any given sermon is just a portion of the story.  

Some of you know that my husband became a pastor about four years ago after having taught in the public school system for seventeen years.  It was a big leap for us.  And I confess it was a VERY big leap for me.  I've never really been a fan of church and I've always had a difficult time with sermons.  The reason is that I wanted sermons to be tidy, wrapped up, inclusive of all pertinent details so as not to give way to misunderstanding should any young or non believer be listening.  My compulsion to round out the theology of every sermon was exhausting and rather than feeling blessed by the pastor's knowledge I felt like I'd been in a battle every time I went to church.   But the fact is, sermons are just a portion of the story!  It's such a great story that it takes time to do it justice in it's telling and not everything can be covered in it's entirety in every sermon.  So we lay the foundation of faith and build on Christ...not forgetting Christ as we build.    

It's true that I have an easier time listening to my pastor husband.  It's likely because I can grill him after the service. (Ha!)  Knowing that this particular pastor is approachable and that I won't be labeled a rebellious woman for questioning his sermon sure does afford me a measure of confidence.  But what about everyone else?  There may be some who have a difficult time listening to my Paul as he takes a passage of scripture and draws out things God has shown him.  I have a lot of grace for those who struggle in this way because I can relate very well.  

What I can offer to those who deal with these matters is a reminder;  My Paul, or any other pastor can only share a portion of the story during one sermon....or even several.  The bible being as deep as it is can not be summed up or laid out in tidy fashion so as to satisfy every listening ear.  Unlike Paul Harvey, who gives "The Rest of the Story", my Paul is only capable of giving a portion of the story.  My prayer is that we will continue to listen and receive God's word with patience, allowing for Him to teach us through men like my Paul, who most often speak with fear and trembling, knowing Whom they represent.  

The Practice of Powerless Love

Some make the claim that our human empathy for others is the result of our evolution.  In fact, just yesterday someone I know excused evil by making the assertion that we are really nothing more than animals.  Of course I don't believe that.  I believe that mankind was created by God with a proper sense of right and wrong, good and evil and kindness and empathy.  With the Law of God written upon our hearts and His Love as the pattern for our own love, I do not wonder where humanity's basic ability to show compassion comes from.  But in spite of mankind's out workings of this basic compassion, there is a powerlessness about it, an insufficiency that is felt by everyone but understood by few.  It lacks eternal worth. 

I'll be honest, I don't have much hope for our world.  We are on a downward spiral that will not be interrupted by any sudden "evolution" of the hearts of men.  Now it's likely that if you are an Atheist reading this post you are thinking, "How sad.  What a negative perspective".  But if you are a Christian who knows what Jesus said about the end times you are likely nodding your head knowing that He said it would be as it was in the days of Noah.  

  

In the days of Noah,

" The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time." Genesis 6:5

It's been an interest of mine to search this verse out because I find it intriguing that the thoughts and inclinations of the human hearts were ONLY evil ALL the time.  That means that the love that the mothers and fathers had for their children and vice versa was considered evil.  That means that the love a man had for his wife was also considered evil.  And good works anyone at that time did, such as bringing someone a meal, having a kind encouraging word for someone who was grieving etc. was EVIL.  There were no good intentions, in spite of man's natural and basic motivation to love.  How can this be?  How could their love have been so powerless?  

I hope by the time you are done reading my words you will see that I'm not being cynical but that I am a believer in what Jesus said.  I believe we are getting closer and closer to the last days and one of the most convincing evidences to me is the increasing practice of powerless love, even by those in the Church.  

Powerless love is the poorest reflection of God's love there is.  What makes it powerless is man's tendency to deny God and leave Him out of it's practice.  In the same spirit Paul referred to the "form of godliness" of those who live in the end times.  

2 Timothy 3:1-5 says,

"…But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.…"

What makes a man's godliness worthless is the same thing that makes a man's love powerless.  When Christ is denied or left out of the equation our works are nothing more than worthless chaffe that will be burned away.  

Now don't get me wrong.  I am not faulting non-Christian people for their humanitarian efforts.  They are to be commended for at least responding to God's will in it's most basic form.  But the sad reality that I am addressing today is that many of those in the Church, who know God's love and power offer nothing more than the same basic love that the godless have to offer, because they are afraid or too timid to step out in faith and share the Truth of what they know.  Their encouragement to those who grieve or to those who grapple with sin or to those facing difficult challenges in life amounts to nothing more than powerless love simply because they refuse to couple their good works with the Truth of God's word and their confession of Faith.  They refuse to acknowledge God.   Christian artists, authors, missionaries, philanthropists, public figures, teachers...so many people likely intending to have a positive effect on those around them in reality, are deluding themselves.  Because of their denial or refusal to step out in faith and acknowledge Christ, their efforts are nothing more significant than the basic love the World has to offer, nothing more significant than wood, hay or straw.  And when God's revealing fire burns these powerless offerings of love away, there is nothing to show for all that wasted effort.  No souls saved, because they never combined their knowledge of the Truth with their good works and kind words.  

Love is not meant to be powerless.  It only becomes powerless (and evil) when Christ is denied and replaced with good humanitarian intentions.  The World is the only one resigned to such feeble offerings, not God's children.  Let your love be filled with the power of Christ.  Let your works, your counsel and your benevolence be rooted in Christ's love and say so.  Because it is Jesus that gives everything it's worth. 

Grading Yourself On A Curve

We've all most likely heard someone quote the verse, "Judge not lest ye be judged".  It's likely the most quoted verse in Christian scripture.  It's easy to see why this is so.  I mean, who really wants to subject themselves to the scrutiny of someone who might be less merciful than God Himself?  I would guess that not many of us would volunteer for that.  But you know, I have often said that if you love me you will not leave me to my sinful devices.  If you really love me, if I fall into temptation and succumb to it you will snatch me from the flames.  This is a biblical mindset.  But how many believers are willing to subject themselves to the scrutiny of others so as to be made accountable to them for their behavior?  

If you are a person who studies God's word you are probably familiar with the Apostle Paul and his ministry to the people of Corinth.  I'll be candid with you and just say it plainly, in my opinion the people of Corinth seem like a completely depraved and nasty people.  These guys were into things that to me seem so extremely vile that I can hardly believe they could call themselves Christians, but they did.  From adultery and debauchery to orgies and the like, these people (at least some of them) seemed so far given over to their sinful flesh that I often wonder at the fact that God spent so much time reaching out to them through the Apostle Paul, but He did.  

What my eyes and mind would cling to is the fact that at least I'm not a sinner "like those sinners".  And in the spirit of hypocrisy I would cling to some ill-perceived saving worth within myself when compared with these people.  But I would be wrong.  While it's true that I am not a sinner like these people were sinners, I was equally in need of a Savior, and I am still.  

My sinfulness and equal need of a Savior does not negate the fact that there was great evil being practiced in the church of Corinth, nor does it negate the fact that God was not pleased with it.  When Paul wrote to these people his words were full of judgment and warning, rebuking them for the sinful things they were into, and sending the clear message that those who do such things are to cease and desist, or suffer for not doing so.  From being cut off from the church, to succumbing to death, Paul makes clear that consequences would follow the unrepentant.  How would these people be cut off from the church without judgement?  Surely God didn't come down and mark each unrepentant individual so as to segregate them from the rest of the church.  No, these people were marked by their lifestyles....and they were judged within the church for it.  

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5  "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Or do you not realize this about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"  Just before he said it, he warned that he was coming again and he was going to do some discipline in the church, complete with witnesses and judgment.   He even said, "I will not spare them" when speaking about those who were living sinfully while claiming to know God.  He meant business, and it was serious not just to him, but to the entire church.  God says, "Do not be deceived, God can not be mocked.  A man will reap what he sows".  Paul intended to come to Corinth and set up court in which brothers and sisters in the Lord would not only have to make a judgment about each other but actually witness to what they knew of each other and yield themselves to the scrutiny of the body of Christ as a whole.  And there were consequences attached to this hearing.  Paul, in challenging these people, told them to "examine yourselves" and "test yourselves" prior to his coming.  In order to take an examination or a test there must be facts and standards.  That means there is definitive criteria by which a person can KNOW if they are in the faith....and it most certainly includes an assessment of behavior, not just a confession of faith.  And those who are not walking according to the rules of faithful Godly behavior most certainly fail that test.  

Unfortunately, anyone who wants to can claim to be a Christian.  This is nothing new.  It happened in Corinth and it happens today.  It's the reason so many horrible things have been done in the name of Christ.   But unlike in the days of the early church there is no longer an expectation of accountability or a strict standard by which men and women are judged.  Instead, a large percentage of the body of Christ has bought into the "judge not" rhetoric and consequently the "test" is no longer administered on demand.  There is no fear of being turned out of the church or cut off from the rest of God's people.  There is no push to change behavior.   There is only the all inclusive call to "just have faith", and condemnation is believed to be averted!  The church began grading on a curve and the standard is zero judgment, zero mention of proper behavior or of condemnation (because that just isn't loving or pleasant and it makes people feel bad).  No, the test that is currently being used to "examine yourself to see if you are in the way" has one and only one criteria, "Claim you are good and it will be so".  But God says, "Woe to those who call evil good..."!   Of course, you know how that kind of test turns out for the church.  Every Tom, Dick and Harry, Sally, Jane and Sue is welcomed with open arms and open minds into the church, regardless of his or her lifestyle and this is how the culture of church has changed so much through history.  Unlike the church in Corinth, there often is no challenge to forsake sin.  No longer is sin an abomination, but rather, it is just a "poor choice" or a "struggle", nothing shameful.   It isn't unusual for sin to be considered just an "alternate lifestyle".  Adulterers, thieves, homosexuals, bisexuals, abusers, neglecters, the lazy and the indifferent....all are welcome without challenge and without judgment...all because there is ONE scripture to which the masses cling, "...judge not...".  

Unfortunately, for those who refuse to "examine" or "test" themselves truthfully according to God's standards, judgment is coming.  And though many believe they are free from damnation simply because they've learned to think well of themselves and cheer themselves on with encouraging scriptures about there being "no condemnation", it would be wise for the all tolerant masses to take seriously the command to examine themselves to see if they are in The Way.  I challenge you, like Paul, to search out what that test includes!  It's important, because when God said, "there is therefore now no condemnation" He was referring to those who are "in Christ" not those who live in sin!  Paul's letter should give men a clue that it isn't only a matter of laying claim to being a Christian.  Anyone can say they are a Christian.  But if you are someone who is living like the Corinthians lived, you should be afraid, because more severe than the judgment of men is the judgment of Christ Himself!  When you stand before God and make your futile claims to Christianity, He will not be swayed by your mere words or claims aligning yourself with Christ.  He will not grade you on a curve.  A man is either with God and living like it, or he is not with God and living in sin.  Examine yourselves to see if you are in The Way, both in body and mind.  And don't think that you will benefit from grading yourself on a curve.        

Easily Offended

There is so much to take in and consider when trying to understand love from God's perspective.  People have a natural form of love that comes with ease and at first consideration it might seem to be sufficient in regards to the command to "love your neighbor as yourself".  But in truth, the natural love or affection that comes without much effort to humans is never quite enough to satisfy the "as yourself" qualification of that command.  

For instance, it is easy to bring a hot dish over to a sick or grieving family, but it does not come easily to serve the same family to the full when their grief creates a physical need for an extended period of time.   The days following the death of a loved one might be filled with good food and well wishes, even a show of support with help in lawn care and other menial tasks of the like.  But indeed one or two months later when the initial shock of loss has passed, there surfaces a deeper more lasting form of grief and challenge that is often faced alone by a grieving family.  This is just one such instance where the easy natural love people have for one another proves to be insufficient to meet the mark of "loving your neighbor as yourself".  I'm convinced that the love spoken of in what Jesus called the second greatest command is something entirely beyond what comes naturally to man kind.  It is a deliberate, selfless, enduring kind of love that has only been demonstrated by God Himself.  Yet we are commanded to do it.

1 Corinthians 13 chisels away the likely misconceptions of love one might have, describing in great detail it's meaning according to God's desire.  It defines God's expectation of love so pointedly that I find myself in wonder at my inability to comprehend it and live it out, yet I cannot deny it.  I must confess that as a Christian woman of thirty plus years I grapple with loving my neighbor as myself quite often.  As the example I gave earlier shows, I believe I am not alone in this.  

Today, however, I want to focus on one aspect of love that seems like a no brainer to me, but apparently is quiet challenging to many people in the church, particularly women.  And when I say this, I am not pointing fingers at a specific church or situation in a church.  I am merely bringing up a matter that I've witnessed myself and that women have questioned me about on a number of occasions.

1 Corinthians 13:5 tells us that "love is not easily offended".  But I wonder how many of us have become "offended" in our church experiences.  I'm guessing that every single one of us is guilty of this failure.  And you know, the World is not ignorant about this either.  Believers have, on a number of occasions, given reason for the World to mock and scorn because we demonstrate a propensity to be offensive and to be easily offended.  

For example, we could name the stereo typical "Women's Ministry" dynamic that is so often scorned by unbelievers who have "tried doing the church thing".  You know the one I'm talking about.  Ladies gather, ladies talk, ladies try to organize something for any given ministry and one or two ladies assume the role of Bossy Bessie.  When Bossy Bessie rears her ugly head all hell breaks loose in the kitchen.  This kind of sinful, self serving, self exalting behavior makes people want to run from women's ministry.  It is offensive and people become offended and they pull away.  

If we take seriously the words of 1 Corinthians 13 then our behavior while we serve should reflect the kind of love God prefers.  Otherwise we are nothing but resounding gongs and clanging symbols and our service has no worth.  All too often I've heard women use the word, "hurt" to describe their response to the offensive behavior of "Bossy Bessies".  They respond with personal indignation to the sinful behavior of those who want to rule the roost in women's ministries becoming easily offended.  I'm guilty of this myself.  I must confess that I've done my fair share of avoiding serving at church functions because of Bossy Bessies.  But I've realized that head on love inspired confrontation of the sinful lording of others is best.  Any other response just lends itself to more sinfulness.  

Love is not easily offended.  God tells us this.  So if we respond to the sinfulness of others by "licking our wounds" and "feeling hurt" and all the other gossipy destructive responses that typically go hand in hand with being easily offended then we do not love.  We become just as guilty as Bossy Bessie who insists on having her own way.  To what end does this lead?  It leads to lack of unity and gives reason for the world to mock and criticize, depriving them of the witness of God's love between us, even causing others to stumble.  This is to our shame.  The only remedy is repentance all around.  And God will help us do it.  Love your neighbor as yourself is the second greatest command.  By paying attention to God's description of love we will be better equipped to keep this command more faithfully.   The state of being offensive and being easily offended will lose its grip on people's hearts, and believers will become the unified witness God desires them to be.  

No Power of Hell, No Scheme of Man

You can probably name the song that this phrase comes from.   It's one of my favorites.  Of course, I have a few.  But In Christ Alone is one of the best.  For some reason this phrase in particular plays in my mind from time to time.   I don't know why, but it just pops in and repeats in my thoughts.   Perhaps it's the swell of the melody.   Perhaps it's the promise that I cling to.  It's comforting to know that as formidable as any foe can be, even if it is Satan himself, the truth is, nothing can pluck me from God's hand.  

With as many hurting people in the world as there are, and as many stories as any one person might have regarding adversity, it's not uncommon to hear people ask the question,

 

"If God is a good God, why does He let (insert any possible problem here) happen?"  

I've answered this question many times for both believers and non believers.  If we all look back over our years and consider things that have happened, we might all find something formidable that shakes us.  These things might come for any number of reasons.  But, no matter why they come, there are two things certain.  Satan would use them to destroy us and God would use them to refine us and inspire His praise upon our lips. 

It's true even regarding the current wickedness our nation has embraced.  Homosexuality is not a new thing.  The only new thing is that the Supreme Court has now placed homosexual relationships legally on par with God given marriage calling them equal.  But there is no equality with the wicked and the righteous.  And there never shall be.  It shouldn't surprise any of us that the wicked act wickedly and celebrate such things.  But please don't for one moment believe that wickedness and righteousness have anything in common.  

It may be that some of God's children are reeling from the ruling, but in truth, Jesus said these things would happen.  None of what the wicked do or push for should take any of us by surprise.    I did cry when I heard the news.  Not because I hate gays.  Not because I want to hinder anyone's "love", though I will not equate lust with love ever because they are just not the same no matter what anyone would have us believe.  I cried for my nation that increasingly heaps God's wrath upon itself.  I cried because of the great deception that has come and will only get worse.  We are told in scripture that many will be deceived and that they will be deceived because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved.  My sorrow was like that of Jesus when he wept for Jerusalem and her blindness.  But my sorrow was not one of defeat.  Nor was it one of resignation.  It was one of great longing for the salvation of the lost.  Including those who once believed themselves to be Christians but have turned away.  

I want to encourage true believers everywhere not to become downcast within themselves during this current swell of wicked pride.  This is another step toward the defining line.  There will come a time when the wicked will no longer be able to freely and successfully blend in with the righteous children of God.  Even now you can see the lines becoming clearer.  Those who believe God and His word are standing strong for righteousness in many ways, not just regarding the matter of homosexuality.   

Those who have convoluted their minds and embraced doctrines of sexuality that do not align with God's are even now becoming bold enough to show where their allegiance truly lies .  If you don't believe me, just take a look at all the rainbows on Facebook and the news.  These people have hijacked a symbol of promise from God and applied it to their profile pictures and even the White House to represent their rejection of God's will and plan for sexuality.  They flaunt their chosen path with pride and those who "like" and support their choice are no less accountable for the wickedness that is going on.  

Believers, this should not hinder your praises.  God is still a good God, even when He hands the wicked over to their delusions.  God is still a good God even when the wicked revel and rejoice in what they fail to see is God's patience with them.  

I've been asking and praying for the Church to become obvious.   And so now it it upon us.  Those who accept God's word and believe are becoming more and more noticeable as the wicked masses who at one time have been able to blend in are now openly displaying their lack of wisdom and love for God's truth.   

Fear not.  No power of Hell, nor scheme of man will ever pluck you from His hand.  I encourage you to maintain an attitude of humility while at the same time maintaining God's standard of holiness outlined for us in scripture.  The world will have you believe that you are wrong and merely being hateful for agreeing with God that sin is sin.  The world will call you a bigot and hypocrite and hater and many other things.  It will push to stifle the truth spoken from your lips and will seek to put it's foot upon you socially.  The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.  This is not new.  Believers will become more and more defined as wickedness becomes more and more promoted and accepted.  You may even now have noticed the "good christian friend" you thought you knew so well has all this time embraced and condoned the perversion of homosexuality, making her stance clear socially via Facebook.  This is a good thing to notice. She was a good blender before now.  You knew not how to pray for her.  But she's come out of the closet and openly aligned herself with the wicked.  It may grieve you as it has grieved me many times in the past.  But it should never cause you to feel afraid or lost.  No power of hell or scheme of man can ever pluck you from His hand.   And if your friend truly loves God and belongs to Him, she will set aside her wickedness and agree with God, even if it takes great hardship and sorrow to bring her to that point.  Until then, we must pray and continue to speak the truth in love so as to snatch people from the clutches of Death.  

May God continue to guide His children in all love and faithfulness.  May His Spirit fill each one of His children with the knowledge of the Truth.  May we humbly repent of our sin and seek His face and do His will even in the face of blatant wickedness and frenzied worship of perversion.  

God Bless you!

              

God's Word is Not a Oui-ja Board

"She Said Yes!"

It's happened a thousand times in my house if it's happened once.  Children are so cute and innocent and willing to hear what their hearts desire to hear.  Their minds are so fixed upon what they desire that they see answers and resolutions where ever they look, even when there is no answer given to them.  

There have been times when I've been speaking to someone on the phone and one of my little ones will run up to me and ask something simple such as, "Mama, can we have a treat?".  Then in my conversation with the person who called me, I might say something like, "Sure" or "Yes".   My children, in hearing my answer to the person on the phone then turn around with great excitement and yell, 

"She said yes!"

Without a doubt I said yes.  But my answer was to the caller, not to the child pulling on my leg.  But that child, hearing my answer to another, took that answer for him/herself and not only that, shared it with the rest of his siblings, who rejoiced to hear it.  It creates quite a messy situation at times.  

When it comes to my kids, this scenario seems precious and cute, albeit frustrating.  But even though I love their innocence, I've had to teach my children the dangers of doing such things.  And I hope they keep this wisdom close to their hearts as they grow into adult children of God, because the same lesson must be learned for each one of us who believe.   

To many times young and old believers have shared with me stories that mirror my children's so closely that I'm left utterly amazed at the folly.  They tell me of their prayers and their search for the answers from God and how they read the bible and found a verse or two or several that God spoke to an ancient nation thousands of years ago.   Then, adopting the recorded words as their own, they excitedly proclaim, "He said yes!".   How can we continue to make the same mistake that small children make?  How can we not see the folly in this?  

The answer to that question is less condemning than a person might understand, but it boils down to simple ignorance.  But when we consider the concept of doing this as we first did regarding my own children, we can see the folly of it.  Anytime someone asks a question and adopts an answer not directly given to him, the answer the person believes to be for him is a mistake.  It's kinda cute when it's a four year old asking for a treat.  But it's not so cute when it's a believer who mistakenly believes that the Bible is a magical mystical book of answers randomly applicable to any plea he might have.   This is not the function of the bible.  

God teaches us through His word. We learn who He is and how He operates.   We learn about sin, human nature, the world, God's will and many other things.  But it's not a Oui-ja Board.    We can't ask it a question and then point, expecting the words to be God's answer.    Are their times when the adopted promises line up with God's will for a person's life?  Sure.  But it's a dangerous game to play and many an ignorant believer has suffered from failed expectations because of his misunderstanding about the role of God's Word in his life.  Simply put, there are times when the words a person adopts as his answer don't line up with God's will for his life.  Believers innumerable have suffered for making the mistake of thinking that every word in the Bible is a personal word randomly applicable to their lives however it is desired.   

Rather than looking mystically at the words printed upon the pages of our Bibles, we need to look truthfully a them.  God's recorded words are about Him and for His glory for our edification and education.  It is living an active and sharper than a two-edged sword able to divide between soul and spirit.  Are some of God's promises recorded in the Bible for us personally?  Absolutely!    Can we claim the promises God made to a different nation?  Sometimes....but it greatly depends upon the promise.    

Knowing that God Is, and that the Word He's spoken for us is living and active should definitely give us hope and comfort, but it shouldn't bring confusion or disillusionment, or even disappointment.   If confusion and disillusionment are the results of having taken God's word out of context, we must never shake our fists at God as though He's failed us.  Rather, we should consider that we've misapplied His word and created a god or the will of a god to suit our own desires, and then we should repent.   

I've had many conversations with people who've said, "I used to be a Christian, but..."  and then they go on to list some failed expectation they had as the result of misapplying God's word.  But most of these people fail to acknowledge that the god they've worshiped and the words they've applied to their lives as "God's broken promises" are actually no different than a child misapplying his mother's answer to his own situation and claiming it as a "personal truth".  God does speak to us and reveal things to us through His word.  But His word is to magnify Him and His will, not our own.  And therein lies the problem.  You see, when a person engages in scripture mining, what he does is fashion an answer according to his own will.  

God speaks to us and teaches us many things through His word.  But we must always, always, always be mindful that it is Him and His will that is magnified through His word,  not our own.  It is His testimony, not ours.  His word creates what He wants it to create, not what we desire to create by adopting signs and coincidental phrases as confirmation of the leadings of our own hearts.   The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked above all else.  Do not follow your heart!  Seek first the Kingdom of God and the rest will follow.  

God's word is not a Oui-ja board.  It glorifies and exalts Him and His will alone.